Saturday, August 02, 2008

Michigan Christians Challenge 'Special Rights' for Homosexuals

“Radical homosexual activists have taken over city councils . . . all across the nation [enacting ordinances that] end up being used to bully and prosecute Christians who faithfully practice their religion.”

A conservative legal group has joined the fight to overturn a Hamtramck, Mich., ordinance that gives "special rights" to homosexuals and transgender individuals.

The Thomas More Law Center said it will act as legal counsel for a coalition of citizens, businesses, and religious groups that are challenging the ordinance, which makes it legal for men who identify as women to use women's bathrooms in any school, business or public facility.

The ordinance provides that no person be discriminated against because of “actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, condition of pregnancy, martial status, physical or mental limitation, source of income, family responsibilities or status, educational association, sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression or handicap.”

At a rally and press conference held in front of the Hamtramck City Hall on Tuesday, July 29, a citizens’ group announced they'd gathered over a thousand signatures -- more than twice the amount needed to place an initiative on the November ballot to overturn the ordinance.

Councilwoman Katrina Stakpoole, who supports the ordinance, called the citizens’ gathering a “hate rally,” the Law Center said.